Animo coach Sergio Medrano saw Misael Moreno as a special player from the start. It’s no wonder the ending was pretty special as well.

Moreno did not play on varsity as a freshman, but after the regular season, Medrano had him dress for the varsity playoffs – not because he wanted Moreno to play, but so he could see firsthand what lay ahead of him. So Moreno got a little space on the end of the bench.

Animo won a CIF Southern Section title that season, and Moreno was there to see it.

“He didn’t get minutes, but we saw him as a potential leader for the team,” Medrano said. “He gained a lot of experience just from seeing that team, and this year he referred back to those moments and was able to push these guys.”

What did that experience do for Moreno?

“In the following years I wanted to be in that position,” Moreno said. “It inspired me.”

Moreno, the Daily Breeze Player of the Year, did everything he could to bring another title to Animo, but fell just short.

His sophomore and junior seasons, Animo reached the CIF-SS semifinals, and this year the Aztec Eagles reached the championship game of both the CIF-SS Division V playoffs and the CIF Division III Southern California Regional playoffs, only to lose to nemesis Salesian in both games.

All three years were successful ones for Animo and Moreno, but this season was his favorite.

“It was my senior year and it was my chance to be a captain and a leader and that was a great experience,” Moreno said. “We made it to the finals twice, but didn’t take everything. But it was still the most rewarding season.”

Moreno burst upon the varsity scene with a tremendous sophomore campaign, tallying 28 goals and 17 assists. He showed he needed just a small space to work with in order to finish opportunities.

He came back down to earth a bit as a junior, when he scored 17 goals and had nine assists.

Moreno went out strong with 26 goals and 14 assists this season, and was named the CIF-SS Division V Offensive Player of the Year. Moreno finished with a total of 71 goals and 40 assists on the varsity level.

“He was All-Area as a sophomore. He broke out that year for us,” Medrano said. “He stepped up big-time and scored goals when we needed him to. Last year he plateaued a bit, and this year he stepped up again as a senior leader and pulled us in the right direction.”

Not that it was easy for Moreno, who was a marked man. The small, open spaces he was used to finding became minuscule.

“He was marked closely this year, so we often used him as a decoy and facilitator,” Medrano said. “Teams focused on him, which helped us. He definitely showed the maturity we needed.”

The scoring was spread around for Animo. Moreno led the way with 26 goals, Juan Quinonez had 21 goals, Francisco Ortega had 20 and Angel Maldonado added 14.

Moreno said this year he began to understand working as team was more important than what he could accomplish as an individual.

“Definitely, the experience of playing game after game as a team and less as an individual has made me a better player,” Moreno said. “I have a pretty solid game but I could improve a lot. I have a lot to learn.”

Moreno is short at 5-foot-8, and can get into small spaces quickly, but he’s also strong.

“He’s a small forward but his lower body strength helps him fend off defenders,” Medrano said. “And when he gets a small space, he can finish. He has a great shot and the ability to score. It’s fun to watch him.”

Medrano said Moreno’s No. 1 strength is finishing around the goal area.

“He has a tendency to be in the right spot at the right time to put away goals that are necessary,” Medrano said. “Our players know where he is at all times.”

Now Moreno is looking for a small space on a college roster, and he’s not sure yet where he’ll end up. But he’ll probably make the most of the space he’s given.

Dave Thorpe is the local sports coordinator for the Daily Breeze. He has been covering local sports in the South Bay for the Daily Breeze since 2006. He previously was the sports editor at the Palos Verdes Peninsula News.

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